Hello 2017: Setting Goals For The New Year

2016 had highs and lows, but we are so excited to see what this new year has in store.

A new year often brings resolutions. Who else makes them each year? January can have us overzealous and then we set some lofty ideals such as:

“I want to drink 100 ounces of water a day!”

“I’m going to work out 7 days a week!”

“I’ll spend 45 minutes with my devotional each morning!”

“I’m going to cook every night!”

Then, February rolls around and we have made these grand declarations, and what happens? Quite frankly, life. You got sick, or you hit the snooze too many times each morning, or your sneakers are still in the closet collecting dust. So you beat yourself up, and abandon your resolutions altogether. If this sounds all too familiar {or maybe it’s just us}, this year we resolve to make a change.

For 2017, focus on setting realistic goals.

Maybe it’s simply the word resolution that throws us off! Instead think in terms of goals – things you hope to achieve, rather than stress to achieve.

Choose goals that will challenge you, but not trap you. A resolution should encourage you to become a better person, but you don’t want to despise what you have resolved to do.

Struggling with personal goals? Here are a few thought starters:

Drink 40 ounces of water a day – equivalent to about 5 glasses, one with each meal and two snacks!

Workout 3 times per week – only allow a maximum of two days in between workouts

Read a psalm or a proverb each morning – if you cannot commit to a full devotional, a psalm or a proverb is more time-friendly and a great way to begin your day

Get 7 hours of sleep each night – while we aim for 8, try for at least 7 hours each night

Carve time for friends and family – whether you live with them or 3,000 miles away from them, do not forget to invest in your friends and family and continue to build those relationships

Cooking or meal prepping at least twice a week – after a long work day it can be hard to feel motivated to cook; instead, make a big meal a few times so that you have leftovers for your lazy days

Have a healthy budget – whether that looks like eating out less, walking more instead of ubering, or putting more towards savings and bills, do what you need to do to not live beyond your means

Choose attainable work goals – such as taking on more responsibility, whether that means a promotion or maybe just owning a particular meeting

Remember that even goals require discipline. Each item listed above is 100% attainable; however it might not come easily. Hold yourself accountable, or create a buddy system to help you stay accountable 🙂

We challenge you to dwell less on “new year, new you” and more so on “new year, smarter you.” Make better choices for yourself that will help to set you up for your best year yet.